Spartans Hockey Senior Day Ends In Thrilling Win

Aidan Asher’s game-winning breakaway goal propelled the Spartans over the Amherst-Pelham Hurricanes.

The senior captain’s goal also came within the final five minutes of the matinee game, leading the Spartans to a 3-2 win.

The Spartans first two goals came from sophomores Carson LePage and Michael Mendrala, with assists coming from senior Tedy Kuhn, senior Jack Forsyth, and sophomore Tommy Kakley. 

LePage’s goal also came on the power play, an area in which the Spartans have been needing better effort as of late. 

This win puts the Spartans at 9-5-1 on the season with only two regular-season games remaining before they compete in the Western Mass and State playoffs. 

Coming off of being shutout 3-0 to Minnechaug last Thursday night, the Spartans needed this bounce-back win to regain some confidence.

It was also another opportunity for the Spartans to work on and showcase their newly adjusted lines, a decision that head coach Dan Reid said “wasn’t easy.”

The uneasiness in Reid’s decision mainly came from breaking up the Spartans’ notorious top line that has been together for over thirty games, consisting of all three senior captains: Brady Dobek, Tedy Kuhn, and Aidan Asher.

It was following the Spartans second loss on the season to Longmeadow, losing 3-1 two weeks ago, that Reid felt the change in lines was “necessary.”

Drawing back on the power play being an area for improvement, Reid went broader, incorporating the penalty kill unit into also being something to work on.

“We need to continue to get better on special teams,” Reid said. “Special teams will become more crucial in the playoffs and our inconsistency is concerning.”

Another burdening pattern that was broken during the game was putting the game away and getting grittier, two things that Dobek hopes the team will continue to improve on throughout the rest of the season. 

“In order to be a dangerous playoff team we need to keep our foot on the gas no matter what the score is or what is going on in the game,” Dobek said. “Additionally, we need to put games away early. We have had leads, gotten too comfortable, and have blown those leads, which have led to losses.”

Senior goaltender Colin Sherwood also had some words of advice for his team on how they can improve.

“We could improve on breaking the puck out of our zone and maintaining pressure on them so that they cannot break it out of theirs,” Sherwood said. “Each practice we adjust our game by reinforcing the good habits and fixing the bad.”

Dobek added to Sherwood’s statement, talking more on the team’s progression in practices from week-to-week.

“We are improving every single week because every single week we have setbacks,” Dobek said. “But, what matters is how we overcome those setbacks. We are continuing to improve on our communication and positive encouragement among teammates to push each other to be better hockey players.”

Despite all that they need to work on, Reid gave some optimism to the team at their current position.

“We have had a good amount of players missing practice and games due to the illness the last three weeks, but we are finally becoming healthy,” Reid said. “Also, to have a quality game on senior day is always great for the players and their families.”

Both seniors also appreciated the senior day sentiment and the fact that they got the win. 

“I loved being able to share a personal moment with my family on the ice,” Dobek said. “My family supports me so much on and off the ice and truly I feel like it was a day for them to enjoy with their son. It was a memory I’ll never forget.”

“It was nice to be recognized for all the time we’ve put into the team over the years,” Sherwood said.

All seven seniors had an impact on the game, whether it was on the scoreboard like Asher, Kuhn, and Forsyth, or great plays such as defenseman Chad O’Brien’s stick-lift on an opposing forward in the third period, denying Amherst of a scoring opportunity. 

Not to mention the twenty-two saves Sherwood made throughout the game. The goaltender and the rest of his team prepare to showcase their best effort in their final two regular season games.

“We just need to lock it in and get focused for the playoffs,” Sherwood said. “Obviously, these next two games matter, but they are most important because it will show our attitudes going into the playoffs.”

The Spartans play tonight against West Springfield at 8:30 p.m.